Mo. Rev. Stat. § 241.311
241.311 Land to be auctioned to highest bidder.
241.311. Land to be auctioned to highest bidder. — Any land sold under the provisions of sections 241.291 , 241.309 and 241.311 or under the provisions of sections 241.290 to 241.340 , shall be sold only at public auction to the highest bidder.
(L. 1971 H.B. 140 § 4)