Mo. Rev. Stat. § 91.580: May condemn private property for public use.

All such cities may condemn private property for public use for such purposes, either within or without said city, and shall pay just compensation for all private property taken or damaged for public use for the purposes of said waterworks and such condemnation proceedings and ascertainment of compensation, as far as practicable, shall be governed and regulated in all respects as the condemnation of property for railroad purposes is at the time regulated by law.