Mo. Rev. Stat. § 388.480

For the sole purpose of connecting county seats in the state of Missouri with railroads, or with the Missouri or Mississippi rivers, where such connection does not already exist, it shall be lawful for any number of citizens of such county, not less than five in number, to form a corporation, with whatever amount of capital stock may be deemed necessary by such citizens, for the purpose of building an electric railroad from such county seat to some other railroad, or to the Missouri or Mississippi rivers, as before stated.