In 1876, the "Union" was in decline and abandoned daily publication. Financially doomed, it was sold to H. B. McCallum, who then returned it to daily publication and converted it from an afternoon to a morning paper. Charles H. Jones wanted to buy the "Union" but was refused by McCallum. Annoyed, Jones started a rival paper, the "Florida Daily Times", in November 1881. By 1883, the "Daily Times" was dominating the "Union". McCallum became ill and finally decided to sell the paper to the "Daily Times". The "Union" then combined with the "Daily Times" to form "The Florida Times-Union", whose first edition was published on February 4, 1883.