It's a juvenile Black Ratsnake. Their range in Missouri covers the entire state with the exception of the extreme lower right portion, which is also inhabited by the Gray Ratsnake.

Vernon County is on the opposite lower middle portion of the state, which indicates it can only be a Black Ratsnake of a basically pure lineage.

~Doug
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/maps/stout29.gif

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"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"

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