When a summons in an action in quo warranto is returned not served because the defendant, or its officers or office, cannot be found within the county, the clerk of the court in which the action was brought must publish a notice for four consecutive weeks in a newspaper published and of general circulation in the county, setting forth the filing and substance of the petition. Upon proof of such publication the default of the defendant may be entered and judgment rendered thereon, as if he had been served with summons.