Missouri Constitution Article I Sec. 26 – Compensation for property taken by eminent domain — condemnation juries — payment — railroad property
[In order to assert our rights, acknowledge our duties, and proclaim the principles on which our government is founded, we declare:]
That private property shall not be taken or damaged for public use without just compensation. Such compensation shall be ascertained by a jury or board of commissioners of not less than three freeholders, in such manner as may be provided by law; and until the same shall be paid to the owner, or into court for the owner, the property shall not be disturbed or the proprietary rights of the owner therein divested. The fee of land taken for railroad purposes without consent of the owner thereof shall remain in such owner subject to the use for which it is taken.