Defendant may plead to merits, when.

521.470. Every defendant not served with a summons may, atany time before final judgment against him, appear and plead tothe merits of the action on such terms as the court may direct.

(RSMo 1939 § 1484)

Prior revisions: 1929 § 1320; 1919 § 1771; 1909 § 2340